The Lok Sabha MP from West Bengal’s Serampore was in the midst of a political storm after he mimicked V-P Dhankhar, who is also the Rajya Sabha chairman, in the presence of Opposition leaders and MPs at the stairs of Parliament on December 19.

Banerjee, also a senior lawyer, was among those suspended from both the Houses of Parliament. He later on defended his action speaking with The Express as well as in a public meeting in Hooghly calling it ‘an art form’ and his ‘right to expression’.

“I received a call from him (Jagdeep Dhankhar) around 8.30 am. We exchanged greetings and he spoke to my wife as well. The V-P invited us to his house for dinner when we are in Delhi. It was nice speaking to him… I have interacted with him on earlier occasions too…,” Banerjee told The Indian Express.

Taking to X, Banerjee wrote: “I thank Hon’ble@VPIndia for his warm greetings on my Birthday. I’m overwhelmed that he personally had a telephone conversation with my wife and conveyed his blessings to my entire family. He also invited my wife and me to have dinner at his residence in Delhi with his family.”

After Banerjee mimicked Dhankhar, criticism poured in from all quarters, including President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

However, Banerjee was seemingly unapologetic. Just after the incident, he had said, “I am surprised he took it personally. Does he behave like this only? It is an art form”.

During a public meeting in Serampore constituency on December 26, Banerjee said that he would repeat the act thousand times since it is his right to freedom of expression.

“Mimicry is an art form and it is my fundamental right to expression. You can put me to jail but I will not step back. I will do it a thousand times.” Banerjee had said.